In a startling revelation, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and nine former governors from the 10th Senate. SERAP accuses them of a questionable practice – simultaneously drawing salaries as senators and collecting pensions as ex-governors.
This eyebrow-raising development came to light through a statement released by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on a recent Sunday. The lawsuit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, includes a list of respondents, namely Abdulaziz Yari, Aminu Tambuwal, Adamu Aliero, Adams Oshiomole, Ibrahim Gaidam, Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Aliyu Wammako, Gbenga Daniel, and Dave Umahi.
SERAP is pushing for several legal actions in this case. First, they seek an “order of mandamus” to compel Akpabio, the nine senators, and Umahi to cease the practice of receiving both salaries and pensions and return any collected pensions to their respective state treasuries. Additionally, SERAP wants them to disclose if they are currently drawing both salaries and pensions. Furthermore, they demand detailed information regarding the amounts of pensions received by these politicians.
SERAP’s argument rests on the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, specifically the Seventh Schedule, which, as amended, calls for former governors to halt the collection of both salaries and pensions. The organization contends that unless these remedies are granted, former governors will continue to enjoy generous pension packages while also receiving salaries as public officials, an arrangement they describe as a travesty driven by self-interest.
This controversy highlights a deep-seated issue in Nigeria, where those in positions of power seem to benefit disproportionately while ordinary civil servants struggle to make ends meet, receiving meager compensation for their hard work.
